How to Choose Lashes for Upturned Eyes

HOW TO CHOOSE LASHES FOR UPTURNED EYES

WHAT MAKES UPTURNED EYES DIFFERENT?

If you have upturned eyes, you already know the struggle: lashes that look amazing on your friend can suddenly make you look surprised or even angry. The fix isn't more mascara — it's picking the right lash shape without fighting your natural eye shape.

Upturned eyes naturally tilt upward at the outer corners. Think of a cat's eye shape, but natural. This gives you a lively, awake expression. But it also means your eye shape already does a lot of the work. Adding the wrong lash can overdo it. You might end up looking like you're permanently surprised — or worse, like your lashes are dragging your eyes down.

According to makeup artists, the outer corner of an upturned eye is already lifted, so adding extra length there pushes the eye into an almond that's too sharp. Instead, the goal is to keep the lift while adding fullness to the center. That's why doll-style lashes and open-eye lashes are a classic match.

THE 3 BEST LASH SHAPES FOR UPTURNED EYES

Center-length lashes: These put the longest points in the middle of your eye. They make your eyes look rounder and soften the natural tilt.
Doll-style lashes: Evenly spaced, slightly longer in the middle, with a curl that points straight up. They create a wide-eyed, youthful look without letting your natural shape get lost.
Wispy lashes: If you want more drama, wispy lashes with varied lengths work because they don't sit heavily on the outer edge. The gaps let your natural lift show through.

LENGTH, CURL, AND THICKNESS: THE DETAILS

When you're scanning lash options, look at three things:

Length: Keep the longest strands at 10–12mm. Anything longer, especially at the outer corners, will fight your eye shape.
Curl: A D or CC curl lifts the eye upward. That's fine, but be careful with the outer third. A C curl is safer for a natural look.
Thickness: Go for a 0.07 or 0.10 mm band. Thicker bands weigh down the lash line and can make your eyes look heavy.

For reference, a 10mm lash is the average length of a natural lash. Most people with upturned eyes feel most comfortable with 8–12mm lengths, depending on how much drama they want.

MISTAKES THAT RUIN THE LOOK

Choosing lashes with a heavy outer corner. This makes your eyes look droopy.
Placing the lash too far from your natural lash line. It breaks the balance and makes the eye look disconnected.
Skipping the inner corner. Upturned eyes often have a shorter inner corner, so leaving it bare makes the eye look smaller.

YOUR UPTURNED EYE LASH CHECKLIST

Before you buy, ask yourself:

Are the longest lashes in the middle or inner half?
Is the band thin enough to blend?
Does the curl go up but not out?
Will it make my eyes look rounder, not sharper?

If you answered yes to all of those, you've found a winner. That's the exact standard I use when I test lashes on my own upturned eyes.

WHY PHANSTA LASHES WORKS FOR UPTURNED EYES

After years of testing, I've found that PHANSTA LASHES gets this balance right. Their open-eye and doll styles are designed with center-length strands that lift the eye without exaggerating the outer corner. The bands are thin and flexible, so they sit comfortably at the lash line. And because they're reusable, you can try different styles without breaking the bank.

If you're ready to see the difference, check out the PHANSTA LASHES collection. I recommend starting with a wispy style for everyday, and a doll style for when you want extra impact. Your eyes will look awake, balanced, and naturally you.